History and background

Belfast Waterfront opened for business in 1997 and has played a key role in Belfast’s economic and social development since then. Many jobs were created as part of this development as well as ongoing operation. The city is now recognized as a major European destination for conferencing, culture and business investment. This is the premiere facility in the city with many shows, restaurants and bars coming to the area as a result. This entire area is an example of what can happen when a city follows a revitalization of its core downtown area. It takes commitment by city leaders as well as consumers to make these types of things a success, and the Irish certainly have demonstrated this commitment.

Waterfront Hall – Belfast – What They Offer

They advertise that they are an award-winning, purpose-built conference, arts and entertainment center offering a variety of facilities including:

Main Auditorium

Studio

14 meeting rooms

gallery space

gift shop

restaurant

two bars.

As well as hosting events, they serve local residents and provide community groups with access to truly world-class facilities.

Waterfront Hall employees 50 full-time employees and more than 100 casual members of staff.

To date, they have:

welcomed more than 5.5 million visitors

hosted more than 2,400 national and international conferences

staged more than 3,800 arts and entertainment events

sold more than 3.5 million tickets

attracted more than 100,000 overseas conference delegates.

Here are some facts about the Belfast Waterfront:

the building opened to the public on 17 January 1997 after 15 years of planning and consultation and three years of building work

it was officially opened in May 1997 by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales

Belfast Waterfront cost £32 million to build

the Main Auditorium seats 2,223 people

the Studio seats 380 people

it offers 14 meeting rooms, two bars, one restaurant and one shop

they employ 50 permanent members of staff and more than 100 casual employees.

Over the past 12 years, Belfast Waterfront has:

staged more than 3,800 performances

hosted more than 2,400 conferences and meetings

sold more than 3.5 million tickets

welcomed more than 5.5 million visitors

contributed £575 million to the local economy

generated £10 to the local economy for every £1 spent on operational costs

attracted more than 100,000 overseas conference delegates

been voted number 1 in The Times ‘Top Things To Do This Festive Season’ for our 2006 Christmas pantomime.

Artists who have performed in the venue include:

Dolly Parton

Ronan Keating

James Brown

Van Morrison

Beverley Knight

Tom Jones

Shirley Bassey

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

Lesley Garrett

Billy Connolly.

Other famous visitors include:

His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern

former Prime Minister Tony Blair

former US President Bill Clinton

Cherie Booth QC

President Mary McAleese

Dalai Lama.

This is one location that tourists should take some time to visit while in Belfast Ireland. For more things to do in Ireland, click here.